MEDIUM PROJECT, New Clothes for an Old Tune [HOME]
or, Switched-On Knach-Off, or Extreme Makeover: Classical Music Edition
Objective: Using the tools of multi-track music production, students will make their own fresh, new (popular music style) arrangement of a public domain Baroque or Classical period keyboard work. A successful project will exhibit elements of thoughtful arranging/orchestration (such as "layering"), as well as an understanding of the concept of musical fusion.
Materials/Equipment: GarageBand running on an OSX Mac computer (or any number of entry-level and higher Digital Audio Workstation); a standard MIDI file for a short Baroque or Classical keyboard work (or section of a work). Some students may also want to use a keyboard controller to enter additional notes in real time.
Prior Knowledge and Skills: Experience using basic features of the software (cut, copy, paste, working with loops), and an understanding of some principles of arranging/orchestrating music such as “layering” and the “100% Rule.”
Procedure: The main idea with this project is to:
Select a Standard MIDI File of a brief Baroque era (1600-1750) or Classical era (1750-1825) keyboard piece (or any other piano piece I approve), or (for longer pieces) a complete section of a piece. SEE BELOW FOR CHOICES.
Import the MIDI File into GarageBand (drag it into the Track Window; GarageBand sets up the software instrument tracks for you!).
Create a pop-classical fusion piece by various means (again, see below). Your project should be a minute, or longer, up to a maximum length of 2:30. It must also use DRUM LOOPS (as well as other loops you desire), and appropriately incorporate the arranging principle of LAYERING.
3. SELECT & GET YOUR MIDI FILE. Students must choose one of the MIDI files below (see Dr. Watson for exceptions). To listen, click on the file, then hit your browser's "Back" button to return here. TO DOWNLOAD THE MIDI FILE, Control-Click" on the file link, then choose "Save File As" (sometimes "Download File As") from the contextual menu that pops open:
Musette (JS Bach) - This is in the key of D MAJOR.
Ode to Joy (Beethoven) - This is in the key of G MAJOR.
BE SURE TO USE THE SAME "KEY" SIGNATURE AS THE MIDI FILE (see keys listed above). All of the MIDI files above will work with 4/4 time signature. Once you've set the KEY and METER (time signature) for your GarageBand file:
Drag and drop the midi file into GarageBand’s “Track Window”. GarageBand will automatically import the midi data (notes, rhythms, and even instrument assignments). Once you do this, you should observe that new tracks with MIDI data are added to your GarageBand file.
4. Now....PRODUCE!! After getting your notes in, there's a lot you can do to MAKE AN EFFECTIVE ARRANGEMENT with a Loop-based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as GarageBand:
TIMBRE: Choose cool, captivating software instruments for each track of the notes entered into GarageBand.
LOOPS: Add drum/percussion and other loops (bass, guitars, keyboards, horns, etc.) to create a pop groove. I strongly encourage you to use loops to highlight the form of your arrangement via texture changes. Use loops at the beginnings of phrases/sections, and build loops layers for "high points" of the production.
SLICE 'N DICE REGIONS: Copy "slices" (sections) of the entered note REGIONS to new tracks assigned to new, perhaps contrasting, instrument sounds.
DOUBLING/MIXING: Double tracks and assign complimentary sounds. For instance, maybe a breathy, sustaining synth sound could be doubled by a plucked string sound, or maybe a pan flute would compliment a rock organ. Set each track's Volume Level so that the MIX is pleasing. Experiment!
EXTEND FORM: Consider adding formal sections such as Intro and/or Outro to enhance form of the arrangement.
LAYERING: Use good principals of song-writing, including the idea of layering (bringing blocks of sound in and out one or several at a time to create a sonic narrative). If you haven't done so, view the video tutorial, “Layering and the 100% Rule," for more on this. For a great example of using LAYERING to support the FORM of a song, watch the YouTube video called Wind Waker Unplugged.
TEMPO CHANGE: Decide early on what tempo (speed) will work best for your song. Perhaps a keyboard piece that is usually played slow would sound really cool at a faster tempo (or visa versa). Also, if desired, ask your teacher how to automate the tempo (in the Master Track) to insert a ritardando (slowing down) at the end of your project. This is often done at the end of a piece to "wind it down."
5. SHARE. Be sure to share your project with your teacher and/or fellow classmates as you progress to GET their FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS, especially when you're not sure where to go next with your arrangement.
MEDIUM PROJECT, New Clothes for an Old Tune [HOME]
or, Switched-On Knach-Off, or Extreme Makeover: Classical Music EditionObjective: Using the tools of multi-track music production, students will make their own fresh, new (popular music style) arrangement of a public domain Baroque or Classical period keyboard work. A successful project will exhibit elements of thoughtful arranging/orchestration (such as "layering"), as well as an understanding of the concept of musical fusion.
Materials/Equipment: GarageBand running on an OSX Mac computer (or any number of entry-level and higher Digital Audio Workstation); a standard MIDI file for a short Baroque or Classical keyboard work (or section of a work). Some students may also want to use a keyboard controller to enter additional notes in real time.
Prior Knowledge and Skills: Experience using basic features of the software (cut, copy, paste, working with loops), and an understanding of some principles of arranging/orchestrating music such as “layering” and the “100% Rule.”
Procedure: The main idea with this project is to:
Select a Standard MIDI File of a brief Baroque era (1600-1750) or Classical era (1750-1825) keyboard piece (or any other piano piece I approve), or (for longer pieces) a complete section of a piece. SEE BELOW FOR CHOICES.
Import the MIDI File into GarageBand (drag it into the Track Window; GarageBand sets up the software instrument tracks for you!).
Create a pop-classical fusion piece by various means (again, see below). Your project should be a minute, or longer, up to a maximum length of 2:30. It must also use DRUM LOOPS (as well as other loops you desire), and appropriately incorporate the arranging principle of LAYERING.
1. LISTENING: Your teacher will share three or four excellent examples in which there is an evident musical fusion of the traditional “classical” and pop/jazz/contemporary aesthetics. Discuss the benefits of fusing two musical styles together. If time, students may bring in examples that fuse old and new styles for the class to enjoy and discuss. Listen to episode 18, “Musical Fusion,” from the podcast, What Music Means to Me. Here is a PODCAST GUIDE for use with episode 18. ALSO, listen to Solfegietto, by Beethoven, arranged by Alison Hofmann for this class a few years back. It is exemplary! What makes this piece work so well?
2. WATCH the brief video on Importing a MIDI file into GarageBand.
[NOTE: Still using the old version of GarageBand (v6)? Then watch these three short vids instead! (1, 2, then 3)]3. SELECT & GET YOUR MIDI FILE. Students must choose one of the MIDI files below (see Dr. Watson for exceptions). To listen, click on the file, then hit your browser's "Back" button to return here. TO DOWNLOAD THE MIDI FILE, Control-Click" on the file link, then choose "Save File As" (sometimes "Download File As") from the contextual menu that pops open:
Musette (JS Bach) - This is in the key of D MAJOR.
Ode to Joy (Beethoven) - This is in the key of G MAJOR.
Entrance of the Queen of Sheba (GF Handel) - This is in the key of C MAJOR.
Solfeggietto (CPE Bach) - This is in the key of C MINOR.
Hungarian Dance No. 5 (Brahms) - This is in the key of G MINOR.
Russian Dance (PI Tchaikovsky) - This is in the key of G MAJOR.
Sugar Plum Fairy (PI Tchaikovsky) - This is in the key of E MINOR.
Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, "Allegro" (WA Mozart) - This is in the key of G MAJOR.
Flight of the Bumble Bee (N Rimsky-Korsakov) - This is in the key of A MINOR.
BE SURE TO USE THE SAME "KEY" SIGNATURE AS THE MIDI FILE (see keys listed above). All of the MIDI files above will work with 4/4 time signature. Once you've set the KEY and METER (time signature) for your GarageBand file:
Drag and drop the midi file into GarageBand’s “Track Window”. GarageBand will automatically import the midi data (notes, rhythms, and even instrument assignments). Once you do this, you should observe that new tracks with MIDI data are added to your GarageBand file.
4. Now....PRODUCE!! After getting your notes in, there's a lot you can do to MAKE AN EFFECTIVE ARRANGEMENT with a Loop-based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as GarageBand:
TIMBRE: Choose cool, captivating software instruments for each track of the notes entered into GarageBand.
LOOPS: Add drum/percussion and other loops (bass, guitars, keyboards, horns, etc.) to create a pop groove. I strongly encourage you to use loops to highlight the form of your arrangement via texture changes. Use loops at the beginnings of phrases/sections, and build loops layers for "high points" of the production.
SLICE 'N DICE REGIONS: Copy "slices" (sections) of the entered note REGIONS to new tracks assigned to new, perhaps contrasting, instrument sounds.
DOUBLING/MIXING: Double tracks and assign complimentary sounds. For instance, maybe a breathy, sustaining synth sound could be doubled by a plucked string sound, or maybe a pan flute would compliment a rock organ. Set each track's Volume Level so that the MIX is pleasing. Experiment!
EXTEND FORM: Consider adding formal sections such as Intro and/or Outro to enhance form of the arrangement.
LAYERING: Use good principals of song-writing, including the idea of layering (bringing blocks of sound in and out one or several at a time to create a sonic narrative). If you haven't done so, view the video tutorial, “Layering and the 100% Rule," for more on this. For a great example of using LAYERING to support the FORM of a song, watch the YouTube video called Wind Waker Unplugged.
TEMPO CHANGE: Decide early on what tempo (speed) will work best for your song. Perhaps a keyboard piece that is usually played slow would sound really cool at a faster tempo (or visa versa). Also, if desired, ask your teacher how to automate the tempo (in the Master Track) to insert a ritardando (slowing down) at the end of your project. This is often done at the end of a piece to "wind it down."
5. SHARE. Be sure to share your project with your teacher and/or fellow classmates as you progress to GET their FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS, especially when you're not sure where to go next with your arrangement.
6. EVALUATION: You will be awarded credit for your work on this project using the New Clothes for an Old Tune rubric.
FUN "REVERSE" FUSION - Piano Guys cover of Jackson 5 "Want You Back"